The sacred atmosphere of Hoshiarpur resonated with the chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ on Wednesday as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and CM Bhagwant Singh Mann joined devotees at the ‘Ek Shaam Bhagwan Shiv Ke Naam’ devotional evening. Amid the gathering, the AAP Chief highlighted the Bhagwant Mann Government’s efforts to celebrate the state’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage, saying that the ‘Hamare Ram’ play is receiving appreciation across Punjab.
The AAP National Convenor urged people to book their free passes in advance for the veteran actor Ashutosh Rana-starrer, which will be staged in Hoshiarpur on September 4 and 5, as the Bhagwant Mann government is organising the show free of cost for the people of Punjab.
Addressing the gathering, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said, “We have just flagged off 15 buses. Some of these buses are going to Salasar-Shri Khatu Shyam, some to Haridwar-Rishikesh and some to Mathura-Vrindavan. Until now, there were only two routes under Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme. On the first route, pilgrims travelled to Sri Anandpur Sahib and Naina Devi, while the second route covered Darbar Sahib, Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, Shri Durgiana Temple and Wagah Border. On the demand of the people, three new routes, Salasar-Shri Khatu Shyam, Mathura ji -Vrindavan Dham and Haridwar-Rishikesh, have been started from today. In the next few months, 1.5 lakh pilgrims will be taken on these three routes.”
Praising the facilities being provided to pilgrims, the AAP National Convenor stated, “The air-conditioned buses arranged for the pilgrimage are so comfortable that CM Bhagwant Singh Mann was saying that even first class on an aeroplane does not offer such an experience. Some people may think that they are well-off and therefore do not need to travel for free. But travelling together with your friends, relatives and people from your neighbourhood, singing bhajans throughout the journey and remaining immersed in devotion to God gives a different kind of joy in life. This is not about being rich or poor. Everyone should experience it.”
Speaking about the ‘Hamare Ram’ play, Arvind Kejriwal said, “A magnificent play called ‘Hamare Ram’ has started in Mohali. Everyone who has watched it is saying that they have never seen a play on Lord Ram like this before. The play will also be staged in Hoshiarpur on September 4 and 5. There are very few seats, so people should book their seats now. In other states, one seat for this play costs ₹8,000, but CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has made it completely free for the people of Punjab.”
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CM Bhagwant Singh Mann began his speech with ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and ‘Jaikara Veer Bajrangi’. During the devotional evening, he said, “The sacred month of Sawan is going on, and this is the glory of Lord Shiva. Kanwariyas are travelling with their faith towards their respective places of worship. Langars have been organised along the route to Mata Chintpurni. There is a huge gathering here. No one has been brought here by offering them any inducement, nor have any tickets been sold. People have come here on their own. Mothers and sisters have also turned up in large numbers.”
Assuring women who are yet to receive their payment under Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana, the Chief Minister stated, “Those who have received the message that the money has been credited to their accounts are fine, and those whose accounts have not received the money should fill the form. The money will also reach their accounts. There may be some delay from the government side in getting the forms filled, but there will be no delay in making the payments. Not a single mother or sister will be deprived of her rightful due.”
Describing the gathering as a powerful expression of Punjab’s brotherhood and faith, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Today, a very big proof of Punjab’s mutual brotherhood is standing before me. Hoshiarpur is a city of educated people, and great poets, saints, faqirs and pirs have emerged from this land. We are standing at Dussehra Ground. I had told Arvind Kejriwal that you may have seen a flood of water in a river, but today you are seeing a flood of people for the first time. This is a flood of devotion to Lord Shiva.”
Highlighting the devotion of the people who gathered despite the humidity, he said, “People have brought even their small children along with them. There can be no greater earning than this. We consider ourselves very fortunate that we have organised this programme for the people. It is very hot, and the fans are running, but people are still sitting here completely immersed in devotion. In a little while, Kailash Kher will immerse everyone in the colours of devotion so deeply that they will not even realise who is sitting to their right or left.”
